Folding crate



(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. C. BURR.

v FOLDING CRATE.. No. 458,689. Patented Sept. l, 1891.

(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. C. BURR. FOLDING CRATE.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELBOURNE O. BURR, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,689, dated September 1, 1891.

Application led December 8, 1890. Serial No. 373,892. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, MELBOURNE O. BURR, a`

l claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of the coop opened out ready for use.` Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same inverted. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View on the line a'. of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coop knocked down or folded together. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the coop inverted and partially folded together.

A represents the top frame of the coop, formed with wire-netting panels and with a small door B in the center, through which ac cess may be had to the interior of the coop; and D D2 represent the ends, likewise formed with wire-netting panels and provided on the edges with plates E, hinged at d to the corners ot' the top A,as shown, so'that the ends D D2 may be folded over upon the top A, as in Fig. 4t. The sides F I`2 are likewise formed with net-work panels and are hinged at b to the top A and fit by their ends d between the plates E, as shown.

Gis the bottom of the coop, which tits in between the ends D D2 and sides F F2, being supported by ribs e2 e2 on the lower edges of the sides F` F2 and ends D D2. The bottom G is stiffened by cleats h, as shown. The ends of the ribs c2 on the sides F F2 project beyond the ends of the sides at e2 and against the inner surfaces of the plates E, so that stops are thereby formed to prevent the sides from moving outward beyond the lines of the plates E, as shown.

Attached to the faces of the stops es are small metal plates ei, each having a rib e5 fitting into a corresponding cavity e in each of the plates E, so that [the outward thrust of the end frames D D2 are partially borne by these plates e4 and is not wholly borne by the pivots ci.

The top frame A is provided with two crossbars t" 2, between which the door B is hinged to right-angled cross-bars i2' t* in any suitable manner. The crossbars i will preferably be of round shape and the door secured thereto by straps 5716; but any other suitable construction maybe employed. If found necessary, a post or stop H may be hinged to one of the cross-bars i3 i* and adapted to project downward and rest by its lower end upon the bottom G to keep the coop distended and prevent its collapse if it is turned upside down when empty; but I do not wish to be restricted to the use of any means for holding the crate distended, as the weight of the bottom G is amply sufficient to accomplish this purpose and the crate is a complete .and operative device without the support H. By this simple arrangement of part-s a coop or crate is produced which may be folded. together in a tiat form, as in Fig. 4, or distended for the reception of the fowls, as in Fig. 1, without detaching any of the parts.

The employment of the small catchingplates e* is an important feature of my invention, as it greatly strengthens the construction and relieves the pivots a froml undue strains. The cross-wire panel-work may be replaced by slats or other open-work which freely admits air, or one or more ot' the panels maybe entirely closed, as circumstances may require. The sides and ends may be hinged to the bottom G, and the top A arranged to be raised and lowered in the same manner as the bottom is now shown to be raised and lowered; but this would obviously be a mere color-able change of construction and would be substantially the same as shown and would produce precisely the same results.

Some simple form of fastening-such as a hook and eye mm or other form of fastening--a will be arranged to connect the ends D D2 to the bottom G when the parts are folded to* gether.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is# 1. In a folding crate or coop, the top A, having the ends D D2 pivotally connected thereto by plates E, sides F F2, hinged to said top and adapted to fit between said plates and provided with combined ribs and stops e2 ei", and a bottom plate Gr, adapted to fit be- IOO tween said sides and ends and supported upon said ribs, substantially as shown and described, whereby said parts may be folded to'- gether for transportation and distended for use.

2. In a folding' crate o1' coop, the combination of a top A, ends D Dpivotally connected to said top by plates E, sides I1" F2, hinged to said top and adapted to fit between said plates and provided with combined ribs and stops e2 e3, stop-plates e4, having ribs e5 fitting into cavities in said plates, and bottorn G, tting between said sides and ends and supported upon said ribs, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimonyywhereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing I witnesses.

MELBOURNE C. BURR. IVitnesses:

' CYRUS W, WELLS, C. N. WooDWARD. 

